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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
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How Food Reaches Your Stomach
When you eat, food travels from your mouth down the esophagus to your stomach. Along the way, food passes through a one-way valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the opening to your stomach. Normally the LES opens when you swallow. It allows food to enter the stomach, then closes quickly. With GERD, the LES doesn't work normally. It allows food and stomach acid to travel back (reflux) into the esophagus.

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Last Revised 07/2009 20351091(1)-12/03-EBS-CON